I write about financial advisors. It's my core belief – and also that of the website where I am editor-in-chief, AdviceIQ.com – that everyone needs a good advisor. The emphasis is on "good." Financial advisors can really help a lot of people. This blog gives you my advice on working with them – and also features personal finance writings by some of the best advisors around. Every player, even the most experienced pros, needs a coach. Hey, Tiger Woods, one of the best golfers ever, needed a coach to fix his swing. When I hear that advisors aren't needed because everybody should be a self-directed investor, I cringe. A lot of people don't have the aptitude or inclination to learn all they need to know. I myself have a financial advisor, Jim Ludwick of Main Street Financial Planning, who has spotted things in my financial arrangements that I had not. Many Americans don't have a financial advisor, and of those who do, a lot don't understand what the advisor does. I used to be investing editor at Forbes, and then at the Wall Street Journal. In 2011, I wrote a book, TAMING THE BEAST, which is excerpted on this site. It's all about how to be a smart investor.

The IRS Is Asking Questions: What To Do

When the IRS flags your tax return, it’s not fun. Steve Albert, who directs tax services for Glass Jacobson in Owings Mills, Md., has some practical advice on how to get through the ordeal.

There’s death and taxes – then there’s the death-like chill when you get a tax notice from the Internal Revenue Service. Here’s how to keep your head.

Each year, the IRS sends innumerable notices to taxpayers for various reasons. Your first instinct might be panic, but take a minute and relax. Many notices involve small, easily resolved issues such as additional documentation or a miscalculation.

If you receive an IRS notice:

Take a breath. Read the letter thoroughly to understand the reason for the notice. The letter will explain why you received the notice and what action to take. The IRS works to ensure all notices are in plain language for “clarity, effectiveness and efficiency.” Again, many notices involve small issues uncomplicated to fix.

Ask questions if needed. You can resolve most notice issues without a visit to an IRS office or even a phone call. If unsure about the purpose of your notice or the action to take, call the number at the upper right corner of your notice. Have a copy of your tax return handy when you call – it helps the IRS answer you.

Keep a copy of your return each year; if you threw out your old returns or they were lost or damaged,request a new one. Transcripts of your returns and tax accounts are free and likely contain all the information you need. You can get them for the current year and the past three years. Get transcripts at IRS.gov on the ”http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Order-a-Transcript”>order a transcript page or at (800) 908-9946.

Review return correction notices carefully. Frequently in cases involving corrections to your tax return, you need to compare the discrepancies in the notice with the filed return. According to the IRS, if you agree with the correction you usually don’t need to reply unless you owe a payment.

If you don’t agree with the correction, respond to the IRS in writing to explain why you disagree. Include any documents and information for the IRS to consider, along with the bottom-tear off portion of the notice. Mail the information to the IRS address shown in the lower left corner of the notice and allow at least 30 days for a response.

Note how the notice arrives. The IRS sends notices and letters by mail. They never contact taxpayers with information about their tax filings via email. If you receive a suspicious email or electronic contact posing as the IRS and requesting personal information, do not reply.

Do not open any attachments and do not click on any links. (If you did click on a link in a suspicious email, visit the IRS Identity Protection page.) Forward the email as-is to phishing@irs.gov and delete the message after forwarding it.

Retain copies of any notices. Keep them in a safe place with all your other tax records.

For more information about IRS notices and bills, visit IRS.gov and click the “responding to a notice” link at the bottom left of the home page. Also see Publication 594, “The IRS Collection Process,” on IRS.gov or call (800) 829-3676 for a copy.

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